Civilian movement into Vavuniya discouraged

[TamilNet, Monday, 19 January 1998, 23:59 GMT]Civilians of Mannar visiting Vavuniya town were refused the normal one week pass today by the Sri Lankan Police. Instead the Police said that only one day passes to stay in Vavuniya could be granted to them from today.

About six hundred civilians who arrived yesterday from Mannar at the Poovarasankulam SLA and Sri Lankan Police were given one day passes to Vavuniya with the stamp that it could not be renewed.

Normally, according residents of Mannar, the Sri Lankan Police issues a one day pass to them at Poovarasankulam which can be renewed in Vavuniya for a week.

Yesterday's decision affected all those visiting Vavuniya from Mannar as they had to get back before they could finish their work or visits in that northern border town.

Finally, all those who were affected, went to see the Additional Government Agent (AGA) of Vavuniya to seek redress. After they explained their difficulties, the AGA spoke to the army and has now changed the duration of the pass to three days.

"But even this can put us in a very tight spot" say Mannar residents. They say that three days are not enough to finish their business in the Vavuniya town.